Grain Bin Unload Conveyor having Removable Components for Maintenance Access

ABSTRACT

A bin unload conveyor for unloading grain through a raised floor of a bin. A removable cover is vertically supported by a plurality of removable ribs to cover the span of a removable midpan. The removable components allow for easy installation and removal to allow maintenance of the bin unload conveyor mounted under the raised floor. A central pit having a central pit cover also allows easy installation and maintenance access. A drive roller and sweep drive sprocket disposed in the central pit are accessible for maintenance upon removal of the central pit cover. A belt of the bin unload conveyor can be maintained in place without removal of the raised floor.

CROSS REFERENCES

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 16/949,009, entitled “Grain Bin Unloading Conveyor System”, and filed 9 Oct. 2020, which is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 16/552,674, entitled “Grain Bin Unloading Conveyor System”, and filed 27 Aug. 2019, which claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/724,125, entitled “Grain Bin Unloading Conveyor System”, and filed on 29 Aug. 2018.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to unloading conveyor systems for agricultural grain storage bins, and, more particularly, to conveyors mounted in a channel in the floor of a bin or under a raised floor of a bin being fed by a series of radially spaced openings or wells formed in the floor, through which grain is delivered to the conveyor by gravity, in collaboration with a sweep conveyor that rotates about a central pivot point of the bin to direct residual grain into one or more of the wells in the floor.

BACKGROUND

Seed and grain are commonly stored in grain bins and related storage structures. Grain storage structures-such as grain bins-commonly utilize a concrete foundation providing a foundation on which a series of formed steel rings (i.e. corrugated cylindrical sections) are joined and extend upward to form a cylindrical tank. Many such grain bins have perforated steel floors supported on the concrete foundation and spaced above the floor of the foundation, for purposes of passing air upwardly through the stored grain for aeration of the grain to control the drying and moisture content of the grain, preserve the grain, and reduce loss.

Horizontal unloading augers have been principally used in the past to remove the grain from the bin. These augers are placed between the concrete foundation and the perforated steel floor or in a trough formed in the foundation. The augers extend from the center of the bin through the side wall to several feet outside the bin for discharge into another mass flow auger or conveyor for subsequent transport to market or other use. The unloading auger carries grain away from an enclosed metal frame—a well—at the center of the grain bin. The grain flows via gravity through the center well into the auger. The center well typically has a moveable slide gate which can be operated from outside the grain bin to control grain flow through the well.

Eventually the bin empties to the point where no additional grain can flow under gravity into the center well, leaving residual grain on the outer edges of the floor of the grain bin extending from the center well and sloping upwards to the outer wall of the bin. The remaining grain, referred to as the residual grain, is considerable, rising from a few inches near the center to as much as ten or twelve feet at the outer wall, for larger diameter bins. The valuable residual grain is commonly removed from the bin via a powered horizontal sweep auger. This powered horizontal sweep auger rests on the perforated floor and may be placed over the unloading auger prior to filling the grain bin. Commonly, additional secondary wells are placed over the unloading auger to remove grain from around the powered horizontal sweep auger so it is free of the residual grain pile prior to commencing its rotary “sweep” operation. Power to the sweep is either transferred from the unload conveyor—as described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,544,031—or the sweep is powered with a dedicated electric motor, or equivalent power source. The sweep conveyor transfers power from the power source, through the auger or chain to turn an idler roller. The idler roller is coupled to a distal drive wheel such that power is transferred from the conveyor to the drive wheel. The driven wheel is mounted perpendicular to the length of the sweep conveyor and drives the sweep about the pivot point, like the hand of a clock.

Recent improvements have been made to grain bin unloading systems for purposes of reducing damage to grain. This damage is related to the clearance fit and steel flighting used in conventional unloading auger systems. Belt conveyors fitted under the perforated grain bin floor in place of auger unloading systems are now being employed to minimize damage to high value seed, as well as to improve energy efficiency and reduce unload time.

The belt conveyor is positioned under the perforated metal grain bin floor and may employ additional intermediate wells for removal of residual grain to clear the region about the power sweep before it is actuated. The drive roller typically employs a bonded rubber coating to provide sufficient traction to transmit power to the conveyor belt.

SUMMARY

We recognized that removable cover plates would allow maintenance access to the belt without removing the belt from the conveyor system. These removable cover plates span across the trough or gap in a raised floor system. The removable cover plates must be reinforced to support the weight of the grain and the sweep conveyor. The removable cover plates are vertically supported by a plurality of ribs that extend along an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the horizontal bin unload conveyor. The ribs incorporate a tab that is received into the midpan to maintain proper spacing of the ribs sufficient to support the removable cover plates.

We also recognized that providing an overlap flange on the removable cover plates prevents grain from entering the midpan. The overlap flange covers the raised bin floor and extends over the external ledge to cover a portion of the raised bin floor to provide a seal. The overlap flange also provides a convenient place for securing the cover to the return trough.

We also recognized that ribs incorporating a rib end having a first rib support flange and a second rib support flange would prevent the ribs from falling over during the installation or maintenance. The rib ends have a first rib support flange and a second rib support flange that extend parallel to the longitudinal axis of the horizontal bin unload conveyor when the ribs are installed. This provides support to maintain the ribs in a vertical orientation when the tab is received into the tab slot.

We also recognized that a removable midpan can support the conveyor during transfer of the material from the bin. The removable midpan is suspended within the return trough and provides a separation between the outgoing, full portion of the conveyor belt from the returning, empty portion of the conveyor belt. The ribs span across the midpan to allow the outgoing and full portion of the conveyor belt to pass underneath the ribs. The rib tabs are inserted into respective tab slots appropriately spaced apart longitudinally along the horizontal bin unload conveyor.

In order to operate the well gates or the clutch for the sweep conveyor drive mechanism, a control rod extends longitudinally through the horizontal bin unload conveyor. In order to accommodate the control rod, the ribs incorporate a notch in the exterior side of a rib end. The notch allows the control rod to move along the peripheral interior portion of the midpan. The midpan is configured with various ledges to support the ribs and the control rod.

One limitation of current systems is the roller, ball bearing mounts, and clutch system are located internal of the bin at or near the center well of the grain bin. This makes maintenance on the rollers, ball bearing mounts, and clutch system exceedingly difficult. Existing systems require the raised floor be removed in order to access the bearings and to remove the roller. We recognized that the roller, ball bearing mounts, and clutch system could be more easily maintained by providing a side access portion to the center well. Additionally, a second bearing mount is mounted to the interior of the center well. In this way, the service parts are accessible within the center well and can be maintained without removing the raised floor. This access also allows the user to maintain the belt, such as splicing the belt, without removing the belt from the horizontal bin unload conveyor and without removing the raised floor.

We also recognized that longitudinal risers could be attached to the floor of the return trough to prevent the return portion of the conveyor belt from freezing or otherwise binding up on the bottom of the return trough. It is common for grain bins to be unloaded in the winter, and any residual moisture may descend to the bottom of the return trough. This moisture may freeze, causing the belt to bind up. This can damage the belt. By attaching risers that run along the longitudinal axis of the return trough, the belt is supported and does not make sufficient contact with the return trough to bind up. The return portion of the belt moves along the top of the risers.

We also recognized that a generally U-shaped backstop mounted adjacent to the roller at the end of the transition assembly can prevent grain from backflowing into the center well and the return trough. Belt conveyors are more susceptible to material interposed between the belt and the roller causing interference with the proper operation of the belt conveyor. The backstop has a lower profile that matches the shape of the bottom of the transition piece. The backstop has a central slot that allows the belt to pass through. The edges of the backstop rise up, generally perpendicular to the edges of the belt. In this way, the openings around the belt—other than directly above the belt surface—are minimized.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present disclosure will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:

FIG. 1 shows a top perspective view of a bin unload belt conveyor extending from a center well, wherein the cover is mounted;

FIG. 2 shows a top side perspective view of the conveyor of FIG. 1 , wherein a cover portion has been removed to show a plurality of ribs extending across a lateral portion of the midpan;

FIG. 3 shows an exploded view of the components of a portion of the conveyor of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 4 shows a detailed side perspective view showing the relationship between a rib and the midpan of the conveyor of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 5 shows a top perspective view of the conveyor of FIG. 1 having the cover and several ribs removed;

FIG. 6 shows a detailed top side perspective view of the center well, having the cover removed to show the service access portion of the conveyor of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 7 shows another top view of the center well and service access portion of the conveyor of FIG. 1 ; and

FIG. 8 shows a higher perspective view of the center well and the service access portion of the conveyor of FIG. 1 .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows a portion of an unloading conveyor system having a bin unload conveyor 10 capable of being installed in a grain bin. The bin unload conveyor 10 is installed in the floor of a grain bin and extends radially from the bin center to the peripheral bin wall. The bin unload conveyor 10 is mounted in the floor of a grain bin. The bin unload conveyor 10 may be mounted within a channel in the floor of a bin. Alternatively, the bin unload conveyor 10 may be mounted to a raised floor of a bin. The bin unload conveyor 10 is fed by a series of radially spaced openings or wells formed in a floor. The grain is delivered through these openings to the bin unload conveyor 10 by gravity. A sweep conveyor can complement the bin unload conveyor 10 by directing residual grain into one or more of the wells in the floor. The sweep conveyor rotates about a central pivot point of the bin upon the floor of the grain bin. For this reason, the top of the bin unload conveyor 10 cannot interfere with the movement of the sweep conveyor.

In order to facilitate rapid access to the bin unload conveyor 10, a cover 20 is removably mounted to cover the bin unload conveyor. The cover 20 provides a top surface of the bin unload conveyor over which the sweep conveyor can travel over. The cover 20 is illustrated as pitched, having a central peak 24. The cover 20 prevents grain from entering at points along the bin unload conveyor 10 other than through the gated pit areas.

FIG. 2 shows the internal components that support the bin unload conveyor belt and provide vertical support for the cover 20. A midpan 30 supports a portion of the conveyor belt 5 transporting the grain traveling out of the grain bin. The midpan 30 has a curvilinear bottom for support the conveyor belt 5 and the load contained on the conveyor belt. The midpan 30 has a first internal ledge 34 and a second internal ledge 36 for supporting a plurality of ribs 50. The ribs 50 have a truss portion 52 that provides vertical support for the cover 20. Each rib 50 has a rib end 54 that extends perpendicular from the truss portion 52 of the rib. The rib end 54 extends outwardly to form a first rib support flange 56 and a second rib support flange 57. As illustrated, the first rib support flange 56 and the second rib support flange 57 is illustrated as having a triangular shape, which prevents the rib 50 from tipping over during the installation or removal of the cover 20. A notch 60 is formed in an exterior side of the rib end 54, between the rib end 54 and a rib foot 62. The rib foot 62 extends downwardly to the second internal ledge 36. The notch 60 allows a control rod 46 to pass through along the longitudinal axis of the bin unload conveyor 10. The control rod 46 operates the clutch mechanism 242 for engaging the sweep drive assembly 240, which transfers power from the roller 228 to the sweep drive sprocket 241.

Also shown in FIG. 2 , the cover 20 has an overhang flange 22 that extends beyond the first external ledge 32 and second external ledge 33 of the midpan 30. The overhang flange 22 extends along the plane of the top of the grain bin floor. The overhang flange 22 prevents grain, dust, and debris from entering the bin unload conveyor 10. The cover 20 may be mounted to the midpan 30 or the return trough 40 by passing a fastener through the overhang flange 22. A cover 20 with an overhang flange 22 is advantageous as the bin unload conveyor is operated while covered with grain. In order to maintain operation of the bin unload conveyor, the flow of grain from the bin into the conveyor must be regulated—which is accomplished by the gated wells.

The midpan 30 is received into a return trough 40, as shown in FIG. 3 . The return trough 40 contains a portion of the conveyor belt 5 as it returns empty after discharging the grain. The midpan 30 can be removably mounted to the return trough 40 in order to allow the user to clean any debris that settled to the bottom of the return trough 40. Also shown in FIG. 3 is the central pit cover 221. The central pit cover 221 covers the central pit maintenance area and belt return over the roller 228.

In order to support the cover 20 along the longitudinal length of the bin unload conveyor 10, the ribs 50 are longitudinally spaced apart at a predetermined interval, as shown in FIG. 4 . In order to facilitate this spacing—and to assist the maintenance and installation of the cover and ribs-a plurality of rib slots 38 are provided on both lateral sides of the midpan 30. The rib slots 38 are shown on the third internal ledge 37 and the first internal ledge 34. Each rib has a rib tab 58 on the first rib end 54 and the second rib end 55. The rib tab 58 extends downwardly and is received by the rib slot 38. The rib tab 58 also cooperates with the first rib support flange 56 and the second rib support flange 57 to maintain the rib in an upright position during installation and maintenance.

Any residual grain, dust, or debris that accumulates around the belt and settle into the midpan 30 can be removed to the return trough 40 through the cleanout aperture 31, as shown in FIG. 5 . The cleanout aperture 31 is disposed in the bottom of the midpan 30. This provides a passageway for any residual grain, dust, or debris to fall through to the return trough 40 to prevent interference with the belt 5 movement.

One advantage of the current disclosure is that maintenance can be performed while the conveyor belt 5 remains installed in the grain bin. FIG. 6 shows the internal portion of the central pit 220 with the central pit cover 221 removed. Removing the central pit cover 221 allows the user access to perform maintenance on the roller 228, first bearing 234, second bearing 236, belt 5, clutch mechanism 242, sweep drive assembly 240, sweep drive sprocket 241, and belt tracking mechanism 238. Additional portions of the belts are accessible for maintenance by removing the cover 20 and the midpan 30.

In order to access and replace the first bearing 234, the central pit cover 221 located above the roller 228 is removed. The bolts holding the first bearing 234 to the access support wall 224 are removed. The access support wall 224 separates the belt return portion 223 of the central pit 220 from the service access portion 222. Within the service access portion 222, the sprocket connecting the sweep drive assembly 240 is disconnected. The lock collar 235 is loosened. The roller is then freed to slide horizontally. The roller can then be pivoted to the side, providing sufficient clearance to remove the roller from the second bearing 236. In order to remove the roller, the roller slot cover 232 is removed. The roller slot 230 is a vertical slot in the access support wall 224, which is illustrated in FIG. 8 . Removing the roller slot cover 232 from the roller slot 230 allows the user to insert or remove the roller 228 for maintenance or installation purposes. Removing the roller 228 allows the user to access the second bearing 236. The second bearing 236 is bolted to the surface of an interior wall of the central pit 220. By mounting the second bearing 236 to the interior surface, all maintenance parts can be accessed without disturbing the floor of the grain bin or removing the bin unload conveyor. All of this maintenance can be accomplished with the bin unload conveyor maintained in place.

Other maintenance that can be required with belt conveyors is tracking of the belt 5. The user can access the belt tracking mechanism 238 within the service access portion 222 of the central pit 220. The tracking mechanism is best shown in FIG. 7 . The tracking mechanism is mounted to the access support wall 224 on the service access portion 222 side. Adjusting the belt tracking mechanism 238 moves the roller 228 to properly direct the belt and prevent the belt from rubbing against the side walls.

Additional maintenance that can be required with belt conveyors include belt splicing to repair a section of the belt 5. By removing the cover 20, the user can access the belt to perform belt splicing and other belt repairs. Additionally, the use can access the belt in the return trough by removing the midpan.

Shown in the FIG. 1 is a portion of the bin unload conveyor 10 between the central pit 220 and an intermediate pit 152. The central pit 220 is shown without the central pit cover 221 in order to reveal the mechanisms accessible within the central pit. A central gate 140 selective opens and closes the grain opening 145 for the central pit 220. Grain is directed to the grain opening 145 via the sloped walls 142, 143. The sloped walls 142, 143 are downwardly and inwardly sloped to direct the grain toward the grain opening 145. A plurality of bars 144 prevent large chunks of grain and other large debris from entering the grain opening 145. Large chunks—frozen or otherwise bound together—can interfere with proper operation of the bin unload conveyor 10.

Also shown in FIG. 2 is a sliding gate guide 158. The sliding gate guide 158 supports the intermediate gate 252 when the gate is open above the intermediate well 250. The sliding gate guide 158 is mounted to the gate housing 251. The gate housing 251 has an opening and slanted walls leading into the opening to facilitate grain entering into the conveyor for transporting grain out of the grain bin. The bin unloading system can have any number of intermediate wells, gates, and gate housings depending on the diameter of the grain bin. The sliding gate guide 158 also prevents the gate from interfering with the belt 5 during operation of the bin unload conveyor 10. A similar sliding gate guide is provided for the central gate 140 or for additional intermediate gates.

As shown in FIG. 1 is a backstop 226 for preventing grain from backflowing into the belt return portion 223 of the central pit 220. The lower portion of the backstop 226 matches the curvilinear shape of the belt 5 as it progresses past the transition assembly 225. The belt 5 has a flat orientation as the belt is wrapped about the roller 228. The transition assembly 225 guides the belt from the flat orientation to the curvilinear orientation during material transfer as the belt passes from the center of the grain bin to the exterior of the grain bin through the midpan 30—the midpan having a complementary curvilinear cross section. As the grain flows through the central gate opening, the grain can begin to slide backwards into the tail of the conveyor—toward the belt return portion 223 of the central pit 220—rather than be carried forward and out of the grain bin. The backstop 226 can comprise a rubber, ultra-high molecular weight plastic, or steel. The backstop 226 is generally U-shaped and is mounted at the downstream end of the transition assembly 225. The backstop 226 has a first raised top portion, a second raised top portion, and a top central opening. The backstop 226 is mounted to an upstream wall of the central gate housing. The backstop 226 is mounted at a downstream portion of the transition assembly 225—downstream referring to the movement path of the conveyor belt.

It is also contemplated that the pitch of the cover 20 may be flat. In a flat cover, the cover 20 would not have a central peak 24. The truss portion of the plurality of ribs would be formed with a flat top to accommodate the flat cover 20. 

We claim:
 1. A bin unload conveyor for an agricultural bin comprising: a. a return trough structured to be mounted under a raised floor of the agricultural bin; b. a belt in the return trough; and c. a removable cover mounted above the return trough structured to allow maintenance access by removal of the removable cover.
 2. The bin unload conveyor of claim 1, further comprising: a. a plurality of removable ribs longitudinally spaced apart across the return trough structured to support the removable cover.
 3. The bin unload conveyor of claim 1, further comprising: a. a plurality of removable ribs mounted above the return trough structured to allow maintenance access by removal of the plurality of removable ribs.
 4. The bin unload conveyor of claim 1, further comprising: a. a removable midpan suspended within the return trough to support a portion of the belt.
 5. The bin unload conveyor of claim 4, further comprising: a. a plurality of removable ribs mounted to the removable midpan.
 6. The bin unload conveyor of claim 4, wherein the removable cover is mounted to the removable midpan.
 7. The bin unload conveyor of claim 1, further comprising: a. a central pit mounted to an end of the return trough; and b. a central pit cover removably mounted above the central pit structured to allow maintenance access by removal of the central pit cover.
 8. The bin unload conveyor of claim 7, further comprising: a. a drive roller disposed in the central pit; b. a sweep drive sprocket disposed in the central pit; and c. a sweep conveyor operably connected to transfer power from the drive roller to the sweep drive sprocket to the sweep conveyor, wherein by removal of the central pit cover the maintenance access is created to the drive roller and the sweep drive sprocket.
 9. The bin unload conveyor of claim 8, wherein the removable cover provides a surface over which the sweep conveyor can travel upon the raised floor.
 10. The bin unload conveyor of claim 1, further comprising: a. a gate housing removably mounted above the return trough.
 11. The bin unload conveyor of claim 1, wherein maintenance is performed within the return trough without removal of the raised floor.
 12. A bin unload conveyor for an agricultural bin comprising: a. a central pit structured to be mounted under a raised floor of the agricultural bin; b. a belt in the central pit; and c. a central pit cover removably mounted above the central pit structured to allow maintenance access by removal of the central pit cover.
 13. The bin unload conveyor of claim 12, further comprising: a. a drive roller disposed in the central pit; b. a sweep drive sprocket disposed in the central pit; and c. a sweep conveyor operably connected to transfer power from the drive roller to the sweep drive sprocket to the sweep conveyor.
 14. The bin unload conveyor of claim 12, further comprising: a. a return trough structured to be mounted under the raised floor of the agricultural bin, wherein the central pit is mounted to an end of the return trough; b. a belt in the return trough; and c. a removable cover mounted above the return trough structured to allow maintenance access by removal of the removable cover.
 15. The bin unload conveyor of claim 14, wherein the removable cover provides a surface over which a sweep conveyor can travel upon the raised floor.
 16. The bin unload conveyor of claim 14, wherein maintenance is performed on the belt without removal of the raised floor.
 17. A method of maintaining a bin unload conveyor for an agricultural bin comprising the steps of: a. removing a removable cover mounted above a return trough of the bin unload conveyor structured to be mounted under a raised floor of the agricultural bin; and b. accessing the return trough through a maintenance access created by removal of the removable cover.
 18. The method of claim 17, further comprising the steps of: a. removing a plurality of removable ribs longitudinally spaced apart across the return trough structured to support the removable cover; b. removing a midpan suspended within the return trough structured to support the plurality of removable ribs; and c. performing maintenance within the return trough through the maintenance access created by removal of the removable cover.
 19. The method of claim 18, further comprising the step of: a. repairing a belt in the return trough structured to be maintained under the raised floor.
 20. The method of claim 19, further comprising the step of: a. removing a central pit cover removably mounted above a central pit, the central pit mounted to an end of the return trough and structured to be mounted under the raised floor of the agricultural bin; and b. accessing the central pit through the maintenance access created by removal of the central pit cover. 